ALL ALASKA PHARMACIES ARE ADDRESSING OXYCONTIN ABUSE

I read with great interest the front page article "Hillbilly heroin" (March
17). Drug diversion has become a nationwide problem of enormous proportion.
I would like to add that while Carrs Aurora Village may be gaining a
reputation among abusers as a place to avoid for obtaining drugs through
illegal means, all pharmacies are aware of the problem and are working
together with the DEA and medical community to stem the tide of diversion.
Pharmacists are placed in a difficult position of having to discern whether
each and every controlled prescription is being presented to them for
legitimate use, or an illegal activity.

I would like to assure the public that pharmacists in every Alaska
community are well aware of the problem and sensitive to the issues. While
recognizing the potential for abuse, Alaskan pharmacists also recognize
that drugs like OxyContin offer patients dealing with severe pain a
valuable management tool that allows them to maintain function and
activities of daily life.

Erin Carey Byrne

Executive Director, Alaska Pharmaceutical Association

Eagle River